(a) A person, including a facility owner or employee, who has cause to believe that a resident of a facility has been or is being subjected to physical abuse, sexual abuse, sexual exploitation, verbal or emotional abuse, neglect, or exploitation, as those terms are defined in Chapter 711 of this title (relating to Investigations of Individuals Receiving Services from Certain Providers), by a person other than a resident of the facility, must report the alleged abuse, neglect, or exploitation to the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS), as required by Chapter 711 of this title (relating to Investigations of Individuals Receiving Services from Certain Providers), by calling 1-800-647-7418.
(b) If the person making the report is not an employee of the facility, such as a resident or visitor, facility staff must assist the person in making the report, if necessary.
(c) The facility must assist an HHSC investigator by preserving and safeguarding evidence of the alleged abuse, neglect, or exploitation and by ensuring that facility employees are made available upon request by the investigator.

Source Note: The provisions of this §551.212 adopted to be effective June 1, 2010, 35 TexReg 4469; transferred effective May 1, 2019, as published in the Texas Register April 12, 2019, 44 TexReg 1883; amended to be effective February 24, 2022, 47 TexReg 787